The Let's Play Hockey Expo, the world's largest consumer hockey show, returns to Saint Paul RiverCentre March 8-9. Powered by True Hockey and the Minnesota Wild, and held in conjunction with the Minnesota State High School League Boys Hockey Tournament, the Expo is open to the public and offers a sneak peek at the newest and most innovative equipment from top brands such as True Hockey, Warrior and CCM. The Expo will also showcase training equipment, hockey camps and clinics, backyard rink options, and the latest hockey swag from several apparel vendors. Players can also test their skills at several interactive stations throughout the Expo.

“The Expo is a great collective of everything hockey,” said Let’s Play Hockey owner Bryan Zollman. “Whether you are a player, a hockey parent, a coach, an official, or just a fan, there is something for everyone at the Let’s Play Hockey Expo. If you love hockey, the Expo is a bucket list event.”

Hockey enthusiasts can check out products and services from more than 90 exhibitors, including many companies exhibiting at the Expo for the first time. Cutting-edge product demonstrations, grand prize giveaways, hourly door prize drawings and celebrity appearances make the Expo one of the can't-miss hockey events of the season.

Several popular social media personalities will be at this year’s Expo, including the On the Bench Guys Jacob & Olly (@ON.THE.BENCH), Pavel Barber (@HEYBARBER), Zac Bell (@ALWAYSHOCKEY), and Nick Weston (@NICKTHEGOALIE_1).

“We will have some of the industry’s top social media influencers attending, so it’s a great chance for all the young hockey players to meet the people they follow on Instagram and TikTok,” said Zollman.

Other appearances are expected and will be updated on the Let’s Play Hockey Facebook, Twitter and Instagram pages.

One of the staples of the Expo is hourly giveaways. Each hour on the hour Let’s Play Hockey gives away dozens of door prizes to attendees. There are also several grand prize giveaways at the Expo including a pair of Custom True Hockey Skates, hockey sticks, a Sparx Home Skate Sharpener, a backyard rink from Nice Rink, Minnesota Wild tickets and memorabilia, a Spa package for hockey moms, and much more from vendors such as Hockeyak, YoungSpeeds, Lunch Bucket Hockey, VukGripz, 43 Degrees, Hockey4All, HKY IQ, Pro Ambitions Hockey and many more.

“It’s pretty tough to leave the Expo empty handed,” said Zollman.

True Hockey will be launching their new Catalyst Skate lineup, which will be officially released in July. The Expo offers a sneak peek at the newest skate from the True brand along with their latest HAZRDUS skate that hit the market in 2023. True skates are worn by more than 100 NHL players.

“True Hockey offers a high-end skate that is very popular amongst the professional ranks,” said Zollman. “If the pros are wearing them, you know they are top notch skates in the market. True will be giving away a pair of custom skates each day of the Expo that retail close to $1,000. Stop down, try on a pair and see how they feel and register to win.”

The Expo runs Friday, March 8 form 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Saturday, March 9 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Admission is $5 for ages 19 and older and FREE for anyone 18 and under.

“This is the best time of year,” said Zollman. “The best tournament in the country is happening next door and it’s a time where the hockey community comes together and celebrates the game they are so passionate about. It’s one big hockey party.”